Hey everyone! I'm back! So, just a quick shout out to the following people who reviewed:
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Disclaimer: I don't own the Chronicles of Narnia.
Careful What You Wish For
Answers, Baking and Horses
I knew I was dreaming, even without opening my eyes.
How did I know this?
First, I can feel a light breeze blowing across my skin and the sun beating down on my face. It was a nice feeling though. I haven't lain outside in a long time. There was no way this could be possible if I was still in my room, even if I did leave the balcony door open. Second, I could smell hay, wheat and cow manure. The smells of my home.
Inhaling deeply, I slowly sat up and took in my surroundings. I was sitting in a pasture, with hay bales not too far off to my right. Looking to my left, I saw a field full of wheat across the river. Looking down at my attire, I noticed that I was no longer in my night gown. Instead, I was wearing my favorite long, dark purple skirt and a light blue t-shirt. I was currently barefoot. I couldn't help grinning, thinking about how Susan would probably have a heart attack. Well, maybe not, but she would not be best pleased. However, it could be worse. I could be in my bathing suit.
Smiling, I feel back down, lying with my arms thrown out from my sides. It felt good to just lay here and not have to worry about anything. The sound of footsteps reached my ears, but, at first, I didn't move. I just figured it could be a horse that my unconscious created. However, as the footsteps drew nearer, I noticed that whatever was making those sounds was too heavy to be a horse. It also sounded like it was close to the ground; like a wolf.
Sitting up, I turned my head in the direction that the footsteps seemed to be coming from, and felt my eyes bug out of my head. Walking towards me was a huge, but majestic lion! As it approached, my senses finally came back to me, and I scooted backwards a bit. Stupid, I know, but I was caught off guard. The lion stopped a few feet away from me, and let out a sound that sounded like a chuckle.
"You have nothing to be afraid of, young one," the lion said, in a deep voice that made me feel strangely calm. Not really knowing why, I felt that I could trust this lion.
"Um…okay," I said quietly, hoping not to anger him. The lion sat back on his haunches before lying on his stomach. Somehow, this gesture didn't make him seem as big or intimidating. "Who are you?"
The lion let out a low chuckle. "My name is Aslan."
I looked at him in confusion, before realization hit me like a truck. This was the Aslan that people were talking about.
"I see that you have heard of me," Aslan said, smiling slightly.
"Um, yes. Sorry about that," I said, feeling like a complete moron. How could I not recognize the true king of Narnia? Mind you, I've never actually seen a picture of him, but this certainly explained why there were some many lion statues all over the castle. Quickly remembering my manners, I curtseyed to Aslan, hoping that I didn't offend him.
"There is no need to apologize, young one. You did not know who I was physically," Aslan said.
I smiled, feeling a bit better. I felt more at ease around Aslan, but I still felt intimidated by the power that radiated from the great, golden lion in front of me.
"Now, I have a feeling that you have questions for me," he said, bringing me out of my thoughts.
"Oh, yes," I said, before looking at him. "Everyone says that you brought Jenn, Cody and I to Narnia for a reason. What is that reason?"
"An evil presence is growing in power, and soon, a war will begin," Aslan said, looking grave.
"But I thought Narnia was in a state of peace right now? If there was a war starting, wouldn't there be some sign? I asked, confused.
"No one knows of this presence yet. It does not want to be known. You three are here because the kings and queens are going to need your assistance."
"Our assistance? What can we do to help? None of us have ever fought in a war, and, to be honest, I think they would do better without us."
Aslan shook his head. "No, young one, unless you three help, Narnia will fall into eternal darkness."
"But how? How can we possibly be of any help?"
"There is a prophecy. A prophecy about you three…
All of Narnia is once again at peace
But that is soon about to cease.
The empire of darkness will rise,
As the light of Narnia slowly dies.
When everything seems dire
Call upon air, water and fire.
United, these three are strongest together.
And will banish the darkness once and forever."
As Aslan finished reciting this prophecy, all I could do was sit there, completely stunned. After a few minutes, I was able to find my voice, and it was full of doubt.
"How do you know that's about the three of us? It doesn't state that it is us. Heck, I would think that it was talking about something that could control those three elements."
"Ever since I became aware of what was happening in Narnia, I searched for those three elements. I looked all throughout Narnia in search of the three that could control fire, air, and water. However, I was unsuccessful in my search here," Aslan said, explaining his actions.
"And then you started to look in my world," I said.
"Yes," Aslan said, nodding, "I was searching for a while before I came upon you three. When I saw you, Jenn, and Cody; I knew that you were it. I observed your behaviors for a few weeks to make sure that I was right. When I was fully convinced, I had you three transported to Narnia."
"Why us?" I couldn't help asking.
The prophecy said that it was supposed to be air, water and fire. I had no idea how we fit any of those descriptions.
"Because you three each fit one of the elements," Aslan said, patiently.
I sat in silence for a few more minutes. I was just about to ask Aslan who we each were, when Aslan spoke.
"I must go now, young one," Aslan said, standing, "I believe that you are about to be awoken, and I have much to do." He then turned and started to walk away.
"Wait!" I called, "What element are we?"
"That will all come to light in due time, Christine," he said, looking at me before walking around a hay bale, and leaving my sight.
However, I didn't have any time to ponder that or the fact that he knew my name without me even telling him, before I felt someone shaking my shoulder.
"Christine. Christine. Christine!"
Opening my eyes, I saw Lucy standing beside my bed.
"Whiz goin on?" I asked, still half-asleep. Rubbing my eyes to rid them of sleep, I sat up.
"Well, it is now ten in the morning, and I decided to come wake you," Lucy said, going through my dresses. I couldn't help but smile. Lucy seemed to love to dress me.
Normally, I wasn't a morning person unless I woke up on my own, but it was hard to be cranky when you had your own ball of sunshine. Getting out of bed, I mentally debated to tell Lucy about my dream, but decided not to. It was silly anyways. I mean, there was no way that Jenn, Cody and I could be part of a prophecy that involved us fighting in a war. I will just chalk that crazy dream up to just being over tired, and having too much excitement in my life.
"Thank you for waking me. I'm not used to not having an alarm clock," I said, stretching out my muscles. "I'm guessing I missed breakfast?"
"Breakfast has passed, but I am sure if you went down to the kitchens, you could find something," Lucy said, laying out a red dress on my bed. "Also, I have some errands to do for Susan in town today, and I was wondering if you would like to accompany me?"
"I would love too, but, if you don't mind my asking, don't you have some kind of royal duties to do?"
"No, not today," she said, smiling, "Everyone else does, but this is my free day. Actually, I am helping Susan get ready for the ball, and since she is busy today, I offered to do some planning."
"Well, you're a very kind sister," I said, from just inside the bathroom where I was washing my face. Grabbing a towel, I walked back into my bedroom. "So, when did you want to leave?"
"I have some stuff that I have to take care of here first, so, how does one o'clock sound?"
"Well, I will have to check my busy schedule, but I'm sure that that will work for me," I said, sarcastically, before grinning. Quickly slipping into my dress, I was just about to grab the hairbrush when Lucy beat me too it.
"Do you mind?" She asked, gesturing to the hairbrush. "I love to do people's hair."
"Well, you can try," I said, shaking my very frizzy hair, "But it refuses to be in any tame position. I usually wear it in a ponytail."
"Hmmm, well, I'm a queen so I will order it to listen," she said in such a serious voice, I couldn't help but laugh. This caused her to start laughing, and soon we were both laughing.
"Well, I'm sure it will listen to you then," I said, grinning.
Setting to work on my hair, Lucy and I started to play a game of twenty questions. I found out that her favorite color was red. The very first person she met in Narnia was a faun named Mr. Tummnus. She had gone to battle before, though her brothers didn't like it, and her favorite Christmas present was her cordial. Apparently it contained the juice of the fire flower, and with one drop, it could help any wound.
"Wow," I said, after she told me that, "That would come in really handy."
"It does," she said, tying a ribbon in my hair. I was currently facing away from the mirror because she didn't want me to see it. "Okay, all finished. Now you can look."
Turning to face the mirror, I beamed. Lucy had put my hair up in a French braid and had tied it with a gold ribbon.
"I love it, Lucy," I said, giving her a hug, "Thank you so much!"
"I'm glad you like it," she said, beaming.
Knock Knock Knock
"Come in," I called, quickly applying some mascara.
"Good morning your majesty, Christine," Striker said, bowing to Lucy and giving me a nod.
"Good morning, Striker," I said, pulling on my shoes. "How are you?"
"I am well, thank you for asking," he said before turning to Lucy. "I am sorry to interrupt, but Queen Susan has asked that you meet her in her room in two minutes. She says that it is about some last minute things that she needs you to get for her in town."
"Okay, thank you, Striker," Lucy said, walking to the door. She turned to me. "So, do you want to meet at the stables at one?"
"Sure, sounds good," I replied, before she nodded and then disappeared out the door. Striker, however, still stood in the doorway.
"Did you need something, Striker?" I asked, walking to the door.
"No, Christine, I was just wondering how you are faring," he said, backing out of the doorway so that I could exit.
"I am doing very well," I said, smiling down at him. "Thank you for asking. Do you by chance know where Jenn and Cody are at?"
"I believe I saw the pair an hour ago," Striker said as we started down the hallway, towards the kitchen, "they were walking towards the beach."
"Okay," I said. They deserved some time to themselves. "That's cool."
"You do not mind being on your own?" Striker asked, looking at me.
"Oh, not at all. Those two deserve some time alone. Plus, I sometimes feel like a third wheel on a bicycle," I said. I felt like I could trust Striker, and I knew that he wouldn't go spreading that around the castle.
"A third wheel? What does that mean?"
"I just mean that sometimes I don't feel like I belong with them," I said, "I know it's stupid, but when they get really cutesy, it just makes it really awkward to be around them."
"Oh. Do you not have a mate?" Striker asked, before catching himself. "I apologize. That was too personal a question."
"No, no, it's fine," I said, waving my hand after I recovered from the sudden question. "I figured someone would ask that at some point. No, I don't have a mate, or as we humans call them, a boyfriend."
Striker just nodded his head.
"So, how is Rollio? I haven't seen him since we came to the castle."
"He is well. He went back to the den when we got to the castle. He was going to tell him mother and siblings about what has happened."
"Oh yeah," I said, taking note of the small smile on Striker's face. "Do you miss them?"
"Sometimes it is hard to be away from them, but I go visit them on my off days."
"Well, that's good," I said, before a hare bounded up to us.
"Striker, the kings request your presence in the meeting room," the hare said before turning and running back down the hallway, not waiting for Striker's reply.
"I must go. Duty calls," Striker said, nodding to me. "Have a good day, Christine."
"Thanks, Striker," I said, before he took off after the hare.
Continuing down the hallway, I quickly arrived at the kitchens. Standing in the doorway, I noticed that there wasn't anyone in the kitchens at the present moment. Shrugging, I walked in and looked around for some food. I spotted some left over toast and some eggs. Grabbing a clean plate off the drying rack, I piled some eggs and two pieces of toast onto it before sitting on a stool.
"Why didn't you wait, and I could have made you some fresh eggs," a voice said from the door. Jerking in surprise, I looked to see Mia standing there, with dishes full of food in her hands.
"These are perfectly fine," I said, shoveling more eggs into my mouth, "You look busy anyways. Thank you for the offer though."
"You're very welcome," Mia said, coming into the room and placing some dishes onto the counter. "What have you got planned today?"
"I am going with Lucy into town later to help her with some errands. Right now I am getting some breakfast, and trying to find something to do."
"Well, if you want, would you be interested in delivering some snacks to the meeting room?" Mia asked. "All the other cooks and servers are currently on their break, and I have to prepare some desserts for Queen Susan to sample."
"Oh, for sure," I said, placing the now empty plate into the sink. "That gives me something to do." I took the dishes, but then stopped. "Where is the meeting room?"
"You just take a right out this door, walk down the hallway till the end, take a left, go up the first flight of stairs you see, walk down that hallway, take a left and it's your first door on the left," she said, quickly rattling it off. Seeing me expression, she let out a small laugh. "Do you think you could find it?"
Getting rid of my stunned deer expression, I nodded. "Yeah, and if I can't, then I will come back." Mia nodded before I walked out the door.
Well, I thought I could find the place. Trying to remember what Mia said, I soon found myself in some unknown part of the castle. I tried to find my way back to the kitchens, but ended up getting even more lost.
"This place really needs a map," I muttered, doing a complete turn, trying to figure out which way to go. Sighing, I slumped against the wall. "So, I don't suppose you know how to get to the meeting room by chance?" I rhetorically asked the suit of armor beside me.
"If you give me one of those sandwiches, I could tell you the way," a voice said from behind the armor.
"What the-!" I yelled, jumping back from the armor. The sound of laugher filled my ears as I watched Edmund walk out from behind it, grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"I'm sorry," he said, not sounding sorry at all, "But that was too good an opportunity to pass up."
"You know, if people keep doing that, I'm going die ten years earlier," I said.
"Why?"
"People like to scare the snot out of me," I said, looking around again. "Um, you wouldn't happen to know the way to the meeting room would you?"
"I was just on my way there when I saw you," Edmund said, then gestured to the food. "That for the meeting?"
"Yes," I said, jerking the food back as he tried to swipe some.
"Well, I may help you if you give me one of those sandwiches," he said, smirking.
I raised my eyebrows. "Seriously? You're really bargaining about this?"
"Yup," he said, still smirking.
Shaking my head, I rolled my eyes. Trust a guy to go for food. "Okay, you have yourself a deal."
"Good," he said before taking a sandwich. Then he took one of the trays.
"Thanks," I said, walking beside him as we made our way to the meeting room, "Oh, and if you drop that, I'm not taking the blame."
"I wouldn't drop it. I have the reflexes of a cat," he said. Normally, I would have thought that he was just boosting, but after seeing him with a sword, I believed that. "So, why were you delivering these to the meeting room anyways?"
"I was helping out Mia. She asked if I could do it because everyone else was on break, and I said that I could. It isn't like I'm very busy anyways," I replied. "I am just trying to kill time until I have to meet Lucy at the stables. I am going with her into town."
"So, you get to go have fun with Lu while the rest of us are working?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, it's not like I have many duties to do," I said, "Besides, I am helping Lucy get preparations ready for the ball, so technically, I am working."
"And have fun doing it," Edmund said, "While the rest of us are stuck in meetings."
"Aw, poor you," I said, moving my index finger over my thumb.
"What are you doing?" Edmund asked, watching my hand.
"Playing the world's smallest violin," I replied, smirking at him. Chuckling, he bumped me lightly.
"Hey," I said, before bumping him back.
Soon, we were walking down the hallway and nudging each other, being careful not to upset the trays. Laughing, we stopped outside a door, from which I could hear voices on the other side.
"Well, thank you for helping me again," I said, "You know, you always seem to be in the right place at the right time."
"Well, it would be terrible if someone didn't help you. After all, we wouldn't have this delicious food for the meeting, and that would be terrible," he said.
"Oh would it now?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, "And why is that?"
"You've obviously never been to a meeting like this. People get irritable when they are hungry," he said, taking the other tray from me.
"No, can't say I have. Well, have fun at your meeting!" I said, waving and walking back down the hallway. However, after a few steps, I stopped. Turning, I saw that Edmund was still standing outside the door looking at me with a raised eyebrow. "Which way to the kitchens?"
Bursting out laughing, he told me the directions. Yelling my thanks, I followed the directions, and, thankfully, ended back at the kitchens.
"That took longer than expected," Mia said, as I walked back into the kitchen, "Did you get lost?"
"Yeah," I said, smiling sheepishly, "But I ran into Edmund, and he showed me where it was."
"You ran into him? Did you spill the food?" Mia asked a surprised and somewhat horrified look on her face.
"What? Oh! No, no," I said, waving my hands, "It's just an expression. It means that I met up with him in the hallway."
"Oh," Mia said, looking relieved, "Well, that is good. Thank you for doing that again."
"Mia, you don't have to keep thanking me," I said smiling. "What are you making?"
"Right now, I am about to bake a three layered lemon strawberry cake," she said, pouring some batter into the biggest cake pan.
"That sounds good," I said, "Do you need any help?"
"Do you bake?" she asked, pouring more batter into the next pan.
"I've done some baking. Nothing really fancy, but my friends and family have told me that my chocolate chip cookies and banana chocolate chip muffins were really good."
"Hmm, I can't say that I've ever made something like that," Mia said, looking thoughtful. "Would you care to make some, and we can see how they turn out?"
"Sure," I said, getting excited, "But I will probably only be able to make the cookies because I have to meet Lucy soon."
"Of course. You can just come back whenever you want, and cook up the muffins."
"Thanks," I said, grabbing some ingredients from the counter and setting to work.
As we baked, I got to know more about Mia. She reminded me of my mother in a way.
"Do you have a family?" I asked, and then rethought about what I just asked. "Sorry if that was too personal." I was still trying to figure out what was appropriate to ask and what wasn't.
"That's quite alright, dearie," she said, laughing, "I have one daughter. She works in the palace also, tending to the gardens."
"This place has gardens?" I asked, surprised. Hey, I haven't had time to fully explore the castle and its grounds; sue me.
"Yes, and they are most spectacular. My daughter is around your age, actually," Mia said, rolling dough.
"Well, I shall have to go have a look for myself one of these days," I said, placing the cookie dough onto a sheet.
"The gardens are Queen Susan's favorite part of the castle, and she said that Tiffany takes great care of them," Mia said, all but beaming with pride at the compliment that she received about her daughter.
Smiling, I was really happy for Mia and Tiffany. By the sounds of things, they hadn't had the best life when the Telmarines were in complete control of Narnia. Mia's husband was killed because he led an uprising against Miraz, which left Mia to raise Tiffany all by herself. They had managed to get by, and when Caspian was crowned king, he offered them jobs at the palace. As I watched Mia, I could tell that she truly loved working here.
"Mia, could you tell me what time it is?" I asked, looking sheepish again. I was still learning how to tell time by the position of the sun, and not from a clock.
"It is close to one," Mia said, turning to me, "I can watch your cookies for you, and take them out when they are done. You mustn't keep Queen Lucy waiting."
"Thank you, Mia," I said, placing the raw cookies over the fire. "Have a good day. I will see what time I get back from town."
"Of course," she said, waving at me, "Have fun!"
"Thanks!" I said, "I will!"
Walking out of the kitchens, I quickly found my way back to my room so that I could grab my riding boots. Slipping them on, I made my way to the stables.
"Hello, Apollo," I said, walking to Apollo's stall. No one had been outside when I had reached the stables, so I decided to just walk in. "Feel like going for another ride into town today?"
"Of course," he said, "I am always up for a ride. Why are we going into town again, though?"
"Lucy needs to get some stuff for Susan that is needed for the ball," I said, before looking around, "Do you happen to know where they keep the saddles and tackle? I could saddle you and Lucy's horse."
"That stuff is just in the room off to the right of the door, and Lucy's horse is Adalia," Apollo said, jerking his head in the general direction and answering my unanswered question.
"Okay. Thanks," I said, walking into the room and looking at the tackle and saddles. Each horse had their names posted on the walls, and their saddles and tackle were places below them. Impressed with the organization of the place, I grabbed Apollo's saddle and tackle first.
Walking back out into the main stable, I placed the tackle by the door before fetching Apollo from his stall.
"I see that you've done this before," Apollo said as I saddled him up. I noticed that the stirrups were longer too.
"Yes, I have," I replied, fastening the halter. "Cody lives on a farm back in my world, so the three of us would always go out riding."
Once I had finished with Apollo, I let him outside the stable, knowing that he wouldn't run away, and fetched Adalia's saddle and tackle.
"Um, which one of you is Adalia?" I asked the horses, feeling a little stupid. What if she wasn't a talking horse? My doubts were quickly extinguished when a beautiful dapple grey mare poked her head out of her stall. I noticed that that was also the horse that Lucy had ridden yesterday.
"That would be me," she said, in a gentle voice.
Setting down her stuff, I walked over to her stall and led her out.
"Is Lucy going out riding today?" she asked, as I started to saddle her up.
"Yes, we are going into town today, and I am early, so I figured that I would get you guys saddled up," I replied.
"Oh, well, that is very thoughtful of you," Adalia said, "Most girls that visit here are frightened of us."
"I've heard some interesting stories," I said, leading Adalia out of the stables and over to where Apollo was standing, talking with a faun.
"Milady, you really didn't need to get these horses ready. I would have been happy to do it if you would have hollered," the faun said.
"It is no problem," I said, patting Apollo on the neck. "I like to do it. It gives you some bonding time with the horses."
"That it does," the faun said, smiling, before bowing, "I am Akil."
"Nice to meet you, Akil. My name is Christine," I said, giving him a curtsey.
"You don't have to curtsey to me, Lady Christine," Akil said, "That is just for nobles. Also, I know who you are."
"Well, since I don't have to curtsey to you, you can just call me Christine. No lady in front," I said, "And how do you know me?" I figured that people around the castle would know that Jenn, Cody and I were staying there, but I've only properly met a handful of the people.
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe it was you who almost nailed my cousin with an arrow. Am I correct?"
Flushing in embarrassment, I nodded. "I actually have no idea how that happened. My aim is awful, so how I almost hit him is a complete mystery. Is he alright?"
"Oh, he's fine," Akil said, smiling, "He pays more attention to what goes on around him now, which is a great thing. So, thank you for your services."
"Um, you're welcome?" I asked, not really sure how to take that.
"Christine!"
Turning, I saw Lucy quickly making her way over to us, looking like she was trying not to run. Striker and the mouse with the cute hat were with her.
"I'm so sorry for being late," Lucy said, once she had reached us. "I had to convince Peter that I didn't need a huge guard as escorts to town."
"That's fine,' I replied, smiling, "So, I take it you were able to convince him then?" I was able to get onto Apollo all by myself this time, which gave me a sense of satisfaction.
"Yes," Lucy said, climbing onto Adalia, "Striker and Reepicheep will be accompanying us. Plus, I brought my dagger, just in case."
"Okay," I said, taking note of the small but deadly looking dagger hanging from a belt that was tied around Lucy's waist. Then I turned to the mouse, who was currently sitting on the horn of my saddle, looking at me.
"You were the girl who was cleaning King Edmund's study the other day," he said.
"Yes, that was me," I said, smiling at him. "My name is Christine."
"I am Reepicheep, one of Narnia's finest knights," he said, bowing.
"I would not doubt that in the least," I said.
"Really? Most humans don't think that until they've seen me fight," Reepicheep said, looking surprised.
"Just because someone is small, doesn't mean that they can't hold their own," I said, "I would know."
"So, shall we head into town? Peter told me that we had to be back before dark," Lucy said, rolling her eyes.
"We shall," I said, nudging Apollo forward, "And Peter is just looking out for you."
"I know, but sometimes he can be too protective. It is rather annoying," Lucy said, giving me an exasperated look.
"Really? I don't have any older brothers, so I wouldn't really know," I said, looking at Lucy. "Do you want to race?"
"Sure," she said, right before Adalia took off.
"Hey," I yelled, laughing, as Apollo raced forward to catch them, "That's cheating!"
"Well, you didn't say that we had to wait till the count of three!" Lucy yelled back, laughing.
"I guess that's true," I said, smiling.
Well, what did you think of the chapter? Love it? Hate it? Also, this is the longest chapter so far. It is fourteen pages in Word. Well, this is Sweet Country Girl signing out until next time!